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25 Easy Hairstyles for Low-Maintenance Days

Cute hairstyles don’t have to require tons of effort.
By
  • Jamie Allison Sanders
January 10, 2025
Whether that snooze button was way too tempting or your busy morning got away from you, sometimes you need to get ready for the day quickly. Having a few easy hairstyles that you can throw together in a flash is a great way to ensure you’re able to get out the door on time (without looking like you just rolled out of bed). While the messy bun is a classic last-minute solution, it’s by no means the only one: There are plenty of cute and easy hairstyles worth adding to your repertoire. Ahead, we’re sharing 25 of our favorite effortless hairstyle ideas for different hair types and lengths to keep you looking put together and polished—even when you only have a few minutes to spare.

The Benefits of Low-Maintenance Hairstyles

The most obvious benefit of easy hairstyles is that they’re easy—you don’t need any special skill or know-how to create them. But the benefits of simple hairstyles extend far beyond ease. For one, they’re typically pretty quick to put together and require few products to achieve. Rather than spending tons of time in front of the mirror blow-drying, flat ironing, or arranging your hair into intricate updos, going more low maintenance means you’ve got some extra time to sip coffee (or, okay, to sleep).

Many low-maintenance hairstyles are also fairly versatile and can easily take you from day to night. For example, a simple topknot is polished enough for a day at the office and still casual enough for after-work cocktails. The same goes for a sleek ponytail or loose waves. These simple hairstyles are chic and stylish, but won’t add much time to your morning routine, making them perfect for those who’d rather enjoy a few extra minutes of shut-eye.

25 Easy Hairstyles for Every Hair Type and Texture

Whether you’re looking for an easy hairstyle for long hair or need a time-saving way to style your shorter strands, scroll on. Ahead, we’re sharing 25 of our favorite simple hairstyles for every hair type, length, and texture.

1. Sleek low bun



If you have long hair and want to keep your strands off your face, a sleek low bun is the perfect easy hairstyle to embrace on busy mornings. Simply gather all your hair at the base of your neck, twist your lengths into a bun, and secure the style with an elastic (or a satin scrunchie for a glam touch). If you need a bit of hold, mist the finished style with a frizz-fighting hairspray, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Lock It Weather Control Hairspray, which offers up to 48 hours of extra-strong hold.

2. Messy topknot



Between wash days, disguise greasy roots with an intentionally messy topknot placed at the crown of your head. Creating this simple hairstyle takes hardly any effort at all. Start by gathering your hair into a high ponytail, then twist it into a loose bun on top of your head, and secure the topknot with a hair tie or bobby pins. When you’re done, use your fingers to loosen the bun for an intentionally undone, lived-in feel.

3. Half-up with a headband



Throwing on a headband is another excellent way to hide oily roots—and it’s incredibly chic, to boot. To nail this cute and easy hairstyle, divide your hair horizontally, just above the ear, to create two roughly equal sections. Brush the top section back into a half-ponytail and secure the pony with a thin hair tie or bobby pins. Then, tie a satiny scarf around your head, tying it into a knot at the nape of your neck. Pull out a few face-framing sections, if desired, and go about your day.

4. Braided ponytail



Give your standard ponytail a little extra pizzazz by weaving your lengths into a chunky braid. This look is so simple to create—just sweep hair into a high ponytail, separate it into three sections, and braid. Secure the ends with an elastic, then pull the pieces of the braid out for a little extra texture.

5. Wash and go curls



If you don’t want to spend ages trying to get your curls just right, never fear—you can definitely wash and go. Start with a shampoo and conditioner formulated just for curly hair. After getting out of the shower, work the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-In Conditioner throughout your hair from root to tip. This castor oil-infused formula hydrates and defines curls without any weigh-down and it works for all curl types from wavy to coily. Let your hair air dry, then finish with hairspray if desired.
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6. Half-up, half-down twist



For this half-up, half-down look, simply section out two one-inch sections of hair from either side of your part, twist them each into loose ropes, and bring them together at the back of your head, securing them with a clip or elastic band. That’s literally it! The end result is an effortless, romantic hairstyle that’s easy to create and works for a wide array of hair types, lengths, and textures.

7. Side braid



A side-swept hairstyle is super versatile and elegant, making it work for a variety of occasions. Go for a boho vibe with a side braid by pulling your hair to one side, separating it into three sections, and quickly braiding it from the nape of your neck down. Or, for a fun twist on the classic, try a fishtail braid—it looks a bit more intricate than your standard three-strand plait but is just as simple to create.

8. Claw clip twist



If you love ’90s hairstyles, this cute, easy hairstyle is definitely the look for you. Start by raking mousse through your hair for a little extra volume and texture—try the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Boost It Volume Inject Mousse, which is infused with thickening agents for a long-lasting, bouncy, and volumized look. Gather all your hair at the nape of your neck, then twist your lengths as if creating a bun. Then, pull your ends upward to create a twisted chignon-like shape and secure the updo with an oversized claw clip. It’s okay if some pieces fall out, too, since this is a look that’s meant to be a little messy.

9. Half-up, half-down with butterfly clips



Another way to embrace the ’90s is by bringing back butterfly clips. Jazz up a more basic half-up, half-down look by dividing the topmost section of hair into five or six smaller sections, then twisting each back and securing them at the crown of your head with a colorful butterfly clip.

10. Beachy waves



Beachy waves are on-trend, effortless, and stylish—and this is one of those easy hairstyles that’s easily achievable, too. At night, take a shower (or at least get your hair wet), then spritz the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner for Dry Hair throughout your lengths and ends. When your hair is about 75% dry, create two French braids, one on either side of your head. In the morning, remove the hair ties holding the braids in place—you should be left with soft, touchable, mermaid-like waves, sans any heat damage.
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11. Low messy bun with a scrunchie



A low, messy bun means you can be out the door in about a minute. But the best way to jazz it up is with a colorful scrunchie. Bring your hair to the nape of your neck and create a low ponytail, securing it with an elastic. Twist the ponytail around itself to create a loose, messy bun, then wrap a scrunchie around the knot to secure it in place. No need to be neat or precise—the beauty of this look lies in the effortless feel.

12. Sleek ponytail



Sleek ponytails are super neat, so it’d be easy to assume they take a lot of effort to perfect. In reality, the opposite is true. All you need is a strong-hold hair gel (we love the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Clear Minded Gel) and a boar-bristle brush. Work a small amount of gel throughout your hair at the crown of your head, then brush your hair back, smoothing down any bumps as you go. Gather your hair into a ponytail at the crown of your head, tie a hair elastic around your pony, and you’re good to go.

13. Sleek bun with pearl accent



This is one of the best hairstyle ideas for those days when you need to look pulled together but have next to no time to make it happen. It’s pretty similar to the sleek ponytail above, but you’ll wrap your lengths into a twisted knot instead of leaving them loose in a pony. After securing your bun, accent your updo with a pearl-adorned hairclip for an elegant finish.

14. Bubble braid



A bubble braid isn’t actually a braid at all, but a ponytail that’s separated into small, evenly-spaced sections. This easy hairstyle for long hair takes just seconds to achieve and requires no products (though you will want to have a few hair elastics on hand). Start by creating a high ponytail at the crown of your head, securing it with an elastic. Then, wrap another elastic around your pony, about an inch or so down from the first. Continue this same process until you reach the ends of your hair, then, use your index fingers and thumbs to gently pull apart each section and create the “bubbles.”

15. Textured lob



Refresh your short low-maintenance haircut with some artfully placed texture by raking a hair pomade (like the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty) throughout your mane, starting at the roots. This is a low-maintenance look that’s great for thin hair, too, since it can help them appear thicker and fuller. When applying the pomade, start with a smaller amount—a little goes a long way (and you can always add more if needed).
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16. Half-up, half-down with a ribbon



Add a little elegance to your locks with a ribbon. Just separate the top half of your hair from the bottom half, pull it back into a simple ponytail, and secure it with an elastic. Then tie a ribbon over the elastic, at once hiding it and creating extra visual interest.

17. Slicked back hair



Try the wet hair look by keeping locks loose and slicking your hair back. Work the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Anti-Frizz Slick Back Styling Cream throughout your roots to give your mane shine and brushable hold without a stiff or crunchy feel. Then, brush your hair back with a boar-bristle brush. Once you’re satisfied with how your mane looks, mist your hair with a bit of hairspray to lock in the stylish look, then get on your way—your easy hairstyle should stay put for hours.

18. Space buns



If you’re feeling nostalgic, playful space buns are a cute and easy hairstyle to try before your next night out. Start by parting your hair down the middle as if you were creating pigtails. Clip one section out of the way, then twist the other into a high bun, securing it at the crown of your head just beside your part. Then, unclip the second section and repeat the process, trying to make your bun placement as easy as possible. Wear the look as-is, or accessorize with a few bejeweled hair pins for a bit of extra flair.

19. Deep side part



Sometimes, switching up your look is as easy as changing your part—especially if you’re already rocking a relatively low-maintenance haircut. After brushing your hair, simply use a rattail comb to create a deep side part on one side of your head. If your hair is used to center parting, you may need to use hairspray to help keep the side part in place. We’re fans of the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray—Unscented, which provides all-day hold without any sticky or stiff residue.

20. Low ponytail with loose waves



This easy hairstyle feels super glamorous but doesn’t take much effort at all to achieve. To create the look, gather your hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck. Then, use a wide-barrel curling iron to curl your lengths. Once your strands are curled, brush out your ponytail with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to create body and volume, then finish by working a small amount of hair oil or serum throughout your lengths. For an ultra-sleek finish, try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In.
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21. Ponytail with a scarf



If your coily hair is starting to look greasy but you’re not ready for a full wash-day routine, try this easy hairstyle. Start by gathering your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. After securing the pony with a hair tie, use a comb to lightly separate your coils to give your hair volume and body. Then, tie a silk or satin scarf around your head to hide those oily roots—just be sure to tie the knot beneath your ponytail so it’s out of sight.

22. Braided bun



Two looks in one make easy hairstyles like this one seem way more difficult than they actually are. Start by creating a braided ponytail (you already know how), tying off the braid at the very ends of your hair. Then, wrap the braid around the base of your pony to create a braided bun shape. We suggest securing the bun in place with bobby pins, but an oversized scrunchie could work well, too.

23. Milkmaid braids



Braids are a great option for when you’re working with second-day hair, as the added texture helps provide a bit of “grip” to keep the plaits in place. That’s a must if you’re creating milkmaid braids, as the intricate-looking style, while easy, does require manipulating your hair a bit. To start, create pigtail braids, one on either side of your head. Next, pull the left braid over the top of your head, securing it beneath your right ear with bobby pins. Repeat the process on the other side, then tuck away any loose strands that may have fallen out of place.

24. Half-up bun



It’s easy to assume that having short hair would mean limited styling options, but that’s not always the case. This half-up bun is a cute and easy hairstyle that works for all hair lengths, but pairs especially well with a chin-length bob. If your hair is on the finer side, mist your roots with dry shampoo for a bit of volume before pulling the top half of your hair into a high, messy bun.

25. Pineapple updo

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Treat your curls and coils to a fun updo and experiment with bangs with this easy hairstyle. Start by gathering your hair into a super-high ponytail, and then create a looped bun by wrapping a hair tie around it without pulling the ends all the way through. Pull the ends forward to create faux fringe, and then fluff the bun with your fingers to create volume and texture. If you have any frizz or flyaways along the sides of your head or at the nape of your neck, smooth them down with a small amount of the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Above It All Invisi-Gel and an edge brush.
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Styling Tips for Effortless, Low-Maintenance Hair

Creating a simple hairstyle is supposed to be easy—and it is. But to make sure your hair looks its best, too, keep these tips in mind:
  • Use versatile hair accessories. Sometimes, easy hairstyles are as simple as adding an accessory or two. Whether you choose a headband, claw clip, ribbon, scarf, or barrette, there are so many ways to add a little extra panache and pizzazz to your buns and ponytails.
  • Opt for multi-functional products. While cute easy hairstyles shouldn’t take too much time to create, you still want to make sure they last throughout the day and night. Look for products that do double or triple duty, so you get as much life out of them as possible. Try a leave-in conditioner or a styling cream that helps enhance texture while still providing hold.
  • Embrace your natural texture. If you have curly or wavy hair, don’t spend too much time trying to change the texture. Low-maintenance haircuts and hairstyles are all about working with what you’ve got! Work with your hair’s natural curl pattern to reduce styling time. The best way to do this is by embracing and enhancing your natural texture with products like gel, curl cream, and a shaping spray.

Next Up: Easy Hairstyles for Long Hair: 16 Step-by-Step Tutorials

Photo credit: IG/@kononova_stylist
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